4 ways to transform old buildings into modern assets

As cities grow, their office inventories remain largely stagnant. Yet despite changes to the market—including the impact of hybrid work—opportunities still exist. Enter: “Midlife Metamorphosis.”

Resiliency

Houston’s buyout program has prevented flood damage but many more homes at risk

Recent flooding in Houston has increased focus on a 30-year-old program to buy out some of the area’s most vulnerable homes. Storms dropped 23 inches of rain on parts of southeast Texas, leading to thousands of homes being flooded in low-lying neighborhoods around Houston.

Resiliency

As temperatures underground rise, so do risks to commercial buildings

Heat created by underground structures is increasing the risk of damage to buildings, recent studies have found. Basements, train tunnels, sewers, and other underground systems are making the ground around them warmer, which causes soil, sand, clay and silt to shift, settle, contract, and expand.

Adaptive Reuse

Modular adaptive reuse of parking structure grants future flexibility

The shift away from excessive parking requirements aligns with a broader movement, encouraging development of more sustainable and affordable housing.

Resiliency | May 17, 2018

Architects brief lawmakers and policy-makers on disaster recovery as hurricane season approaches

Urge senate passage of disaster recovery reform act; Relationship-building with local communities.

Resiliency | Feb 21, 2018

Resilience team selected to help protect a vulnerable Bridgeport, Conn., from floods

The design and construction project would perpetuate efforts that date back several years.

Resiliency | Jan 24, 2018

A luxury community in Florida mandates resilience in new-home construction

Alys Beach’s in-house GC builds to standards set by the FORTIFIED program.

Resiliency | Jan 24, 2018

Effort to develop first whole-community resilience benchmarks for buildings, water, and energy launched

Volunteers sought for committee openings.

Resiliency | Jan 17, 2018

Climate adaptation project addresses current and future climate changes in Randers, Denmark

The C.F. Møller-designed project is slated for completion in 2021.

Resiliency | Stantec | Nov 15, 2017

Resilient design for waterfront buildings: a real estate win-win in vulnerable area

The developer sees resilient developments achieving top-of-market pricing, faster leasing, higher renewal, and higher occupancy rates.

Greenbuild Report | Oct 18, 2017

Rebuild, retreat, or resist

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma expose the necessity—and limitations—of resilient design and construction measures.

Resiliency | Oct 18, 2017

Cities weigh relocations as part of their defenses against natural disasters

Convincing people to relocate can be a psychological hurdle.

Resiliency | Oct 16, 2017

The race to codify resilience design

An array of guidelines and standards coming from all kinds of sources are jockeying for position to stamp their imprint on resilience best practices and, potentially, new codes.