Mortar is a mixture of cement, water, and sand (and sometimes lime), used as a binding agent for bricks, stones, and other masonry materials.

Mortar has been used for thousands of years in construction, evolving from natural materials to today’s cement-based formulations. Its role is to bind and seal masonry, offering flexibility and workability essential for vertical and horizontal joints in walls and structures.

The color and finish of mortar can dramatically influence the final look of masonry work. By adjusting the sand color, cement type, and additives, masons can create mortar that matches or contrasts with the masonry units.

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An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained living space built on the same lot as a primary single-family home. It includes a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, making it suitable for independent living. ADUs can be detached structures, such as backyard cottages, or attached units, like converted basements or additions to the main house.

ADUs have gained popularity due to their versatility and ability to provide extra living space or generate rental income. They promote efficient land use in urban areas, reducing the need for new housing developments. With the rise of prefabricated models and streamlined financing options, ADUs have become more accessible for homeowners looking to expand their living options.

Junior ADUs (JADUs) are smaller versions of ADUs, usually under 500 square feet, often built within existing home structures. They offer a cost-effective way to add separate living areas with their own entrances and efficiency kitchens, while adhering to local codes and regulations.

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A roofing square is a standard unit used in the roofing industry to measure roof size and estimate material needs. One roofing square covers 100 square feet, or a 10-foot by 10-foot area.

How to Calculate Roofing Squares

Measure Your Roof

• Break the roof into sections.
• Measure each section’s length and width in feet.
• Multiply length by width to get the square footage for each section.
• Add all sections together for the total square footage.

Divide by 100

• Divide the total square footage by 100 to get the number of roofing squares.
• Example: A roof measuring 2,000 square feet = 20 roofing squares.

But roof measurements aren’t always as simple as length × width. Let’s look at why roofing squares are so useful.

Roofs are not flat like floor plans. Roofs with complex shapes, multiple planes, and varying pitches can cover more surface area than a simple footprint.

Using roofing squares makes it easier to estimate total material requirements, minimizing errors and waste.

Additionally, roofing squares account for roof slope (pitch), which impacts the amount of materials needed. Steeper roofs have more surface area, even if the building’s footprint is the same. For example, a high-pitched roof will require more materials than a flat roof of the same base size.

Example: Roof Pitch Impact

A house with a 2,000 square foot base footprint (length × width).

If it has a low slope, use a pitch factor of 1.07:

• 2,000 × 1.07 = 2,140 square feet
• 2,140 ÷ 100 = 21.4 roofing squares

If it has a high pitch, use a factor of 1.36:

• 2,000 × 1.36 = 2,720 square feet
• 2,720 ÷ 100 = 27.2 roofing squares

This example shows how the pitch can increase the material needed by over 25%!

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Built on the traditional homeland of the Sauk, Fox, and Potawatomi peoples, Chicago is a city of immigrants. Just 13 years after the city was incorporated in 1837, more than half of its residents were born overseas, having flocked to the region from across Europe and Asia alongside tens of thousands of others. Today, Chicago is home to 1.7 million immigrants, totaling 18 percent of the population.

The inaugural exhibition at the newly renovated Intuit Art Museum celebrates this history by bringing together 22 artists with ties to the city. Comprised of 75 works across mediums, Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago highlights those who worked in the Midwest and established their practice outside the traditional art world models.

Intuit is a longstanding champion of self-taught artists. Established in 1991, the museum has recognized the incredible creative contributions of those operating outside the mainstream due to economic, societal, or geographic reasons.

One such artist is Henry Darger, who worked as a hospital custodian by day and produced an enormous collection of drawings, watercolor paintings, and cut paper works only discovered after his death. While Darger’s works now sell for prices in the high six figures, his story is unique. Historically, self-taught artists don’t often attain the critical or financial recognition of their traditionally trained peers.

Catalyst comes at a particularly relevant moment in the U.S., as immigrants are under increasing threat. Spotlighting works with a wide array of topics and approaches, the exhibition creates a sort of contemporary tapestry of those shaping Chicago’s cultural landscape since the mid-20th century. The show intends to highlight “artists deserving of greater attention, while posing questions about access to the art world and how art comes to be defined and valued,” a statement says.

Included are four impeccably detailed paintings by Drossos P. Skyllas (1912-1973), an Ottoman-born artist known for his enchanting hyperrealistic portraits. Carlos Barbarena works with a similar devotion to precise mark-making in his portraiture. The Nicaraguan artist creates linocuts that frame instances of trauma and adversity with elaborate floral motifs, his depictions of people continually harnessing compassion and resistance.

Found object and mixed-media sculpture features prominently, too. The soaring miniature cathedral by Charles Warner, for example, interprets the sacred spaces of his childhood in Prussia through hand-carved wood and pastel paint. There’s also the figurative assemblage of Alfonso “Piloto” Nieves Ruiz, who sculpts a rendition of the Statue of Liberty. With a torso of unidentifiable hands caked in soil and detritus at her feet, Piloto’s “In the name of progress” complicates the symbol of freedom.

Catalyst is on view through January 11, 2026.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article An Exhibition Celebrates the Self-Taught Immigrant Artists Shaping Chicago appeared first on Colossal.

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a mass timber product made by gluing together layers of kiln-dried solid wood, usually spruce, pine, or fir—with each layer laid perpendicular to the one below. This cross-lamination enhances strength, stability, and load distribution in both directions.

How CLT Is Made

• Lumber Selection: Kiln-dried, defect-free softwood (e.g., spruce, fir).
• Layering: 3, 5, 7, or more layers stacked at 90° angles.
• Adhesive Bonding: Structural glue secures layers under high pressure.
• Panel Sizes: Custom sizes prefabricated for walls, floors, or roofs.

Common Applications

1. Floors, walls, and roofs
2. Load-bearing and shear walls
3. Prefabricated modules and mass timber buildings
4. Mid-rise and high-rise wood construction

Benefits of CLT

• Structural Strength: High load-bearing capacity and stiffness
• Dimensional Stability: Resists warping, shrinking, and swelling
• Fast Construction: Prefab panels reduce on-site build time
• Sustainability: Made from renewable wood, stores carbon
• Fire Resistance: Chars predictably, maintaining structural integrity
• Acoustic & Seismic Performance: Performs well in noise isolation and earthquakes
• Aesthetic Appeal: Can be left exposed for a clean, natural look

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It takes a real knack for design to make something as hefty and industrial as steel and bricks appear weightless or even playful. But British artist Alex Chinneck (previously) is no stranger to monumental projects that reimagine urban infrastructure and buildings into striking public installations.

As part of London’s Clerkenwell Design Week, Chinneck unveiled “A week at the knees,” a new sculpture in Charterhouse Square that takes its cue from an iconic predecessor. The artist installed the “From the Knees of my Nose to the Belly of my Toes” in 2013 on a dilapidated townhouse in Margate, appearing as though the entire front of the building had simply slid right off. On view through June in London, his new work boasts a frame made from 320 meters of repurposed steel and 7,000 bricks.

“A week at the knees” playfully anthropomorphizes a classic Georgian facade, with its lower two levels rippling over a pathway as if seated in the park with its knees up. London is famous for its green squares and gardens, and Chinneck’s work invites visitors to pass through a unique portal that calls upon the history of its surroundings, complete with downspout and lamps flanking the arched front door.

Chinneck fabricated the sculpture in collaboration with numerous British companies to source and create bespoke steel beams, curving windows, and bricks. At five meters tall and weighing 12 tons, the piece mimics a life-size building while sporting a thickness of only 15 centimeters. The effect lends itself to the experience of a hefty, architectonic structure with a graceful, lightweight personality.

Explore more on Chinneck’s website and Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article A Rippling Townhouse Facade by Alex Chinneck Takes a Seat in a London Square appeared first on Colossal.

Split-level and bi-level homes are often confused due to their staggered layouts, but they differ in both structure and function. The main difference lies in the number of levels and how the interior space is arranged.

While both designs aim to separate living spaces, split-level homes offer greater design flexibility. Their staggered floors can accommodate more room separation, such as placing bedrooms above shared spaces or creating a private basement-level retreat.

Bi-level homes have a tighter layout, which can feel more compact but also more efficient for heating and cooling. However, they may be less desirable to buyers who prefer open-concept or stair-free living.

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Porches and patios both create outdoor living spaces, but they serve different purposes and have distinct structural features. Whether you’re planning to build or simply want to identify what you have, here’s a quick guide to help you understand the difference between a porch and a patio.

Porch Styling Tips:

• Add a classic porch swing, rocking chairs, or bistro seating
• Use seasonal planters to frame the front door
• Choose weatherproof cushions and furniture for longevity
• Keep it clutter-free to boost curb appeal

Patio Styling Tips:

• Center the space around a fire pit or dining area
• Add shade with a pergola or umbrella
• Use clean-lined furniture in neutral tones to let nature shine
• Add string lights or lanterns for ambiance

Maintenance Tips

Both porches and patios require regular upkeep:

• Porches: Sweep frequently, clean screens, and pressure wash annually. Wipe down furniture to remove dust and pollen. Enclosed porches may trap moisture and need ventilation checks.
• Patios: Sweep away leaves and debris. Clean furniture to prevent mildew. If using pavers or stone, reseal every few years to prevent cracking or discoloration.

If you want a sheltered, welcoming entryway or a cozy spot that blends with your home’s architecture, a porch may be the better option. If you prefer a flexible, open-air space for entertaining or grilling, a patio is good if your backyard offers room to spread out.

Porches offer architectural charm and seasonal coverage, while patios are more versatile and cost-effective for larger social gatherings.

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