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Howard Ecker joins us today to talk about real estate and architecture. Howard has over forty years of experience representing tenants. He started his career in commercial real estate and soon after, became the head of the office leasing department at Arthur Rubloff and Co.  He was also the youngest member of the Board of Directors. In 1975, he founded Howard Ecker + Company, which was the first company in Chicago devoted exclusively to representing tenants. Mr. Ecker is a member, served on the Board of Directors, and was the founding President of the Chicago Office Leasing Brokers Association, an association of the top 100 office leasing brokers in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

Commissioned Graffiti-  In Sao Paulo, city officials asked Graffiti artists to decorate some of the blank concrete buildings. We discuss how art for art’s sake is much more relaxing and refreshing than the ads that tend to replace them. Although it seems sad that urban art tends to pave the way for new ad space.

Your Brain on Architecture- There are studies that say your surroundings influence the way you think. Can we create spaces that help us achieve more?

10 Most Creative People in Architecture- This article discusses the creativity of a mostly new guard. We love the global views that they bring to their designs and how they push through convention. Howard notes that judging new architecture is somewhat premature though, as the test of time will separate out which buildings will become great.

The Bubble- This is a new type of non permanent dwelling that helps allow for for a city’s recently arrived or displaced. We discuss how it could be a nicer alternative for disaster relief as well. This concept continues to branch out as mobile stores are being tested.

Microsoft’s Tablet- The Courier, a Microsoft device to compete with Apple’s tablet has people buzzing. Will it do well? What software will it use? We are now beginning to see how Microsoft is surviving without Bill Gates. What will Apple be without Steve Jobs?

Cubicles the new Loft?- New York Magazine discusses how there is an abundance of office space in many cities now. Some of this space is being converted into lofts. Howard tells us some of the pitfalls they might face in construction and why real estate in general is having a tough time.

Fiskar Karma- This is the first luxury electric car. Fiskar has combined sleek design with conservation technology to create quite a beauty. Not only do they have the regular green features, but they have also planned ahead to give the old car batteries a second life powering villages in Africa.

[podcast]http://manifestdigital.com/podcasts/20091006-Episode25.mp3[/podcast]