A kit that includes multiple rectilinear elongate polygonal elements having five unique shapes, four of which are concave polygonal elements. In some examples, when arranged with respect to one another, the elements of the kit form a girih strapwork pattern. In one aspect, respective elements in a kit may include bezels or boarders along longer sides to enhance an over/under weaving effect of the girih strapwork pattern. In other aspects, one or more elements may be formed as a tray, and some of the trays may include various components or materials disposed in the tray (e.g., architectural surface materials, biological systems, various electronic components) to provide for a variety of creative designs and structural/sculptural installations for built environments. In some implementations, one or more such trays may have beveled rims so as to appear light and thin when viewed.

A kit that includes multiple rectilinear elongate polygonal elements having five unique shapes, four of which are concave polygonal elements. In some examples, when arranged with respect to one another, the elements of the kit form a girih strapwork pattern. In one aspect, respective elements in a kit may include bezels or boarders along longer sides to enhance an over/under weaving effect of the girih strapwork pattern. In other aspects, one or more elements may be formed as a tray, and some of the trays may include various components or materials disposed in the tray (e.g., architectural surface materials, biological systems, various electronic components) to provide for a variety of creative designs and structural/sculptural installations for built environments. In some implementations, one or more such trays may have beveled rims so as to appear light and thin when viewed.

A post sleeve includes a reinforced concrete body preformed around a liner that defines a cavity extending longitudinally within the body, sized to receive a post. Standoff ribs run lengthwise within the cavity and extend inward from inner walls of the cavity. A post in the cavity is supported laterally by the standoff ribs. Drain channels between the ribs permit water to flow past the post and exit the cavity via a lower aperture. A drain tube is coupled to the lower aperture, and extends downward where it is covered with gravel at the bottom of a post hole. Concrete is poured around the post sleeve in the hole. The cavity is adaptable to receive posts of varying sizes, and at various depths. A collar closes a space between the post and the top of the cavity, permitting air circulation within the cavity while shedding water and substantially preventing insects from entering the cavity.

A post sleeve includes a reinforced concrete body preformed around a liner that defines a cavity extending longitudinally within the body, sized to receive a post. Standoff ribs run lengthwise within the cavity and extend inward from inner walls of the cavity. A post in the cavity is supported laterally by the standoff ribs. Drain channels between the ribs permit water to flow past the post and exit the cavity via a lower aperture. A drain tube is coupled to the lower aperture, and extends downward where it is covered with gravel at the bottom of a post hole. Concrete is poured around the post sleeve in the hole. The cavity is adaptable to receive posts of varying sizes, and at various depths. A collar closes a space between the post and the top of the cavity, permitting air circulation within the cavity while shedding water and substantially preventing insects from entering the cavity.

A flooring system combines a dimensionally stabilized sub-floor laminate with a dimensionally stabilized tile laminate, the sub-floor laminate and the tile laminate being held together by magnetic attraction. In one embodiment one or other of the laminates is magnetic, and the other has a ferromagnetic engagement sheet. In another embodiment, a magnetic intermediate sheet is placed between ferromagnetic strata of the two laminates. The tile laminate may include ceramic tiles, which may be glass or porcelain. Those tiles are substantially rigid. They have flat ground edges to provide abutting matching fit with adjacent tiles. On assembly, neither mortar nor grouting is employed. The sub-floor has pre-defined mounting hardware accommodations that permit the fasteners not to interfere with the flatness and fit-up of the laminates.

A flashing for concrete board siding includes a substantially rigid panel, a guide protrusion, an interior protrusion and at least one strip of adhesive double-sided tape. The guide protrusion and interior protrusion are integrally formed with the panel at opposing ends. The at least one strip of adhesive double-sided tape is on an exterior face of the panel. In an embodiment, a channel separates two or more strips. Some embodiments include at least one groove disposed between two or more strips. Further, a method of installing concrete board siding to a structure includes fastening a first piece of cement board siding to the structure, providing an embodiment of the flashing disclosed herein, positioning the interior protrusion on the top edge, adhering a second piece of cement board siding to the least one strip of adhesive double-sided tape and fastening the second piece of cement board siding to the structure.

A flashing for concrete board siding includes a substantially rigid panel, a guide protrusion, an interior protrusion and at least one strip of adhesive double-sided tape. The guide protrusion and interior protrusion are integrally formed with the panel at opposing ends. The at least one strip of adhesive double-sided tape is on an exterior face of the panel. In an embodiment, a channel separates two or more strips. Some embodiments include at least one groove disposed between two or more strips. Further, a method of installing concrete board siding to a structure includes fastening a first piece of cement board siding to the structure, providing an embodiment of the flashing disclosed herein, positioning the interior protrusion on the top edge, adhering a second piece of cement board siding to the least one strip of adhesive double-sided tape and fastening the second piece of cement board siding to the structure.

The present invention provides a guard which is a surface that is adapted for mounting over the open end of the tread of a step of an open stairway such that when associated with a stairway: the exposed area of the OTEP is reduced. The present invention further provides for a retention means to maintain stable association of the guard with the stairway. The present invention further comprises kits comprising one or more guards, one or more retention means and instructions for use.

The present invention provides a guard which is a surface that is adapted for mounting over the open end of the tread of a step of an open stairway such that when associated with a stairway: the exposed area of the OTEP is reduced. The present invention further provides for a retention means to maintain stable association of the guard with the stairway. The present invention further comprises kits comprising one or more guards, one or more retention means and instructions for use.

Panels and panel assemblies include one or more transition surface features that comprise or provide a transition gradient between a first surface feature and a second surface feature. Surface feature types include surface texturing, coloring, decoration, and so forth. Transition gradients progressively change one or more attributes of the surface feature across the panel surface. Transition surface features begin at a first degree of the attribute at an origin, such as a point, line, or area of the panel or panel assembly, and transition to a different degree while moving away from the origin. Panel assemblies include a non-transitioning panel having a first surface feature type, a non-transitioning panel having a second surface feature type, and a transitioning panel disposed between the non-transitioning panels and having a transition surface feature that provides a transition gradient between the first surface feature type and a second surface feature type.