Queue 'Homepage Featured'
8 cool cultural projects in the works
In each issue of Building Design+Construction, we feature the latest new construction and renovation projects in a section called, On the Drawing Board. Here, we have assembled eight of the most notable cultural facility projects currently in the works. They include a soaring opera center in Hong Kong, a multi-tower music center in Calgary, and a massive expansion to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Check them out below.
Learn which AEC firms are behind some of the most notable performing arts, library, and museum projects.
A soaring opera center in Hong Kong and a multi-tower music center in Calgary are among the latest cultural projects.
How to win more work from community colleges
The nation’s thousand-plus community college districts can be a steady source of income for your Building Team—provided you appreciate the special needs of this important sector of the higher education market.
The nation’s thousand-plus community college districts can be a steady source of income for your Building Team—provided you appreciate the special needs of this important sector of the higher education market.
The editors wish to thank Arlen Solochek, AIA, District Director of Facilities Planning and Development, Maricopa County (Ariz.) Community College District, for serving as Special Technical Consultant for this report.
Best Firms to Work For: Enermodal Engineering is green to the core
At Enermodal Engineering, there’s only one kind of building—a sustainable one.
At Enermodal Engineering, there’s only one kind of building—a sustainable one.
When it comes to corporate mission statements, it’s hard to beat Enermodal Engineering’s for its deft combination of altruism and personal satisfaction. It goes like this: 1. Save the world energy and resources by creating green buildings. 2. Have fun doing it. 3. Make enough money to continue to do 1 and 2.
Are charter schools killing private schools?
A recent post on Atlantic Cities highlights research by the U.S. Census Bureau's Stephanie Ewert that shows a correlation between the growth of charter schools and the decline in private school enrollment.
Private school enrollment in the U.S. dropped by 11% during the last decade (2002-12) to 4.7 million, and the share of children attending private schools dipped to 10% in 2010.
As charter school networks grow, private school enrollment declines, according to research.
A recent post on Atlantic Cities highlights research by the U.S. Census Bureau's Stephanie Ewert that shows a correlation between the growth of charter schools and the decline in private school enrollment.
Architecture Billings Index up again in February
With increasing demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is continuing to strengthen. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.
The new projects inquiry index reached its highest mark since January 2007.
The American Institute of Architects reported the February ABI score was 54.9, up slightly from a mark of 54.2 in January. This score reflects a strong increase in demand for design services.
Toyo Ito named 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient
Laureate is known for 'poetic' structures inspired by forms of nature and by human perceptions of space.
Toyo Ito, a 71 year old architect whose architectural practice is based in Tokyo, Japan, will be the recipient of the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize.
USGBC to GAO: 'Schools need over $271 billion in maintenance fixes'
Report calls for new federal study, better reporting of school maintenance needs.
7 most endangered buildings in Chicago
The Chicago Preservation Society (CPS) released its annual list of the buildings at high risk for demolition. The 2013 list includes the AllState Building (1949), a rare example of immediate postwar modern high-rise construction, and the Lathrop Homes (1938), considered by many to be the best public housing development the city has ever built, according to CPS.
The Chicago Preservation Society released its annual list of the buildings at high risk for demolition.
The Chicago Preservation Society released its annual list of the buildings at high risk for demolition.
25 cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings
With 528 buildings totaling 112.5 million sf, Los Angeles topped the EPA's ranking of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2012. Rounding out the top five are Washington, D.C. (462 buildings); Chicago (353); New York (325); and Atlanta (304).
Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago top EPA's list of the U.S. cities with the greatest number of Energy Star certified buildings in 2012.
Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago top EPA's list of the U.S. cities with the greatest number of Energy Star certified buildings in 2012.
5 novel architectural applications for metal mesh screen systems
From folding façades to colorful LED displays, these fantastical projects show off the architectural possibilities of wire mesh and perforated metal panel technology.
From folding façades to colorful LED displays, these fantastical projects show off the architectural possibilities of wire mesh and perforated metal panel technology.
Since the 1950s, architects have explored design possibilities with wire mesh and perforated metal panels in buildings. Until then, the technology had primarily been used for mundane construction applications like fences, concrete reinforcement, and lockers.
One of the earliest architectural installations of woven wire mesh—the elevator interiors in the Mies van der Rohe-designed Seagram Building in New York City—still adorns the spaces today.
