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Shenzhen projects halted as Chinese officials find substandard concrete
State inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand. Thirty-one companies have been cited for violations, and eight were ordered to suspend business for a year. Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted during the inspection. (Only 80 meters of the Ping'an building has been erected so far; China Construction First Building Group Corp. Ltd. is the primary contractor.)
Projects affected by the shutdown include Ping'an Finance Center, set to become China's tallest building.
Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted after inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand, which undermines building stabity.
Advanced lighting controls and exterior tactics for better illumination - AIA/CES course
Earn 1.0 AIA LU/HSW for taking this free class.
To achieve the goals of sustainability and high performance, stakeholders in new construction and renovation projects must rein in energy consumption, including lighting. This course presents detailed information about lighting control strategies that contribute to energy efficient buildings and occupant well-being, as well as tips for lighting building exteriors effectively and efficiently.
To achieve the goals of sustainability and high performance, stakeholders in new construction and renovation projects must rein in energy consumption. Interior illumination represents a large fraction of building sector energy use, and lighting overall accounts for 19% of electricity consumed nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Boston mayor’s energy efficiency disclosure rule under fire
A proposed ordinance in Boston mandating energy audits is coming under criticism from the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and others as being too costly and intrusive. The rule would cover existing commercial buildings larger than 25,000 sf and residential buildings with 25 or more units. Owners would be required to use the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track their buildings’ overall energy use and that of their tenants. The information would then be converted into an energy performance rating on a scale of 1 to 100.
A proposed ordinance in Boston mandating energy audits is coming under criticism from the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and others as being too costly and intrusive.
Stanford researchers develop nanophotonic panel that reflects sun's heat out of the atmosphere
It sound like something out of a Sci-Fi movie.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanophotonic material that not only reflects sunlight and prevents heat from being absorbed, but it actually beams the thermal energy at a specific wavelength so that it leaves the earth's atmosphere.
While still in the conceptual stage, new material could be the future of highly reflective building envelopes.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanophotonic material that not only reflects sunlight, but actually beams the thermal energy out of the earth's atmosphere.
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.
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.
RSMeans cost comparisons: parking structures, town halls, community centers
Construction costs across 25 metro markets.
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets. Building types include: parking garages, underground parking, town halls, and community centers. Click here to access the RSMeans chart.
For additional RSMeans cost comparison reports, visit: http://www.bdcnetwork.com/rsm-charts.
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.
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.
'World's greenest' office building seeks tenants in Seattle
Seattle’s Bullitt Center
Superefficient facility is designed to meet the ambitious goals of the Living Building Challenge.
Superefficient Seattle office building is designed to meet the ambitious goals of the Living Building Challenge.
