6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 7, 2020

1. Final report: BD+C's 2020 Color Trends Report (BD+C)
"This special research report from the editors of BD+C explores the leading trends and drivers related to the use of color on commercial, institutional, and multifamily building projects."

2. HMC releases COVID-19 Campus Reboot Guide for PreK-12 schools (MHC Architects)
"As part of HMC’s ongoing research effort to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and develop solutions for a safe return to PreK-12 schools, we consulted with clients from various school districts and county offices of education, conducted surveys with parents, and did a deep dive literature review on building design and infectious disease transmission/prevention."

3. SpeedCore demonstrates excellent fire resistance without additional fire-protective coatings (BD+C)
"New York City approves metal-concrete product for all five boroughs."

4. Museums emerging from the pandemic: Hands-on learning (HGA)
"HGA Arts & Culture experts weigh in on the future of museums in this ongoing series, Museums Emerging from the Pandemic."

5. Space-starved buyers flock to master-planned communities (Bisnow)
"In only a few months, the coronavirus pandemic, along with a side of unexpected social unrest in some places, has made people rethink urban living. That new fear of density has been boosting master-planned communities."

6. As some office tenants’ leases expire, they are opting to consolidate in fewer locations (National Real Estate Investor)
"COVID-19 is making companies reevaluate their office space needs. Some are opting for consolidation."

Spending on nonresidential buildings will see a modest 4% increase in 2024, after increasing by more than 20% last year according to The American Institute of Architects’ latest Consensus Construction Forecast. The pace will slow to just over 1% growth in 2025, a marked difference from the strong performance in 2023.

Construction Costs | Jan 22, 2024

Construction material prices continue to normalize despite ongoing challenges

Gordian’s most recent Quarterly Construction Cost Insights Report for Q4 2023 describes an industry still attempting to recover from the impact of COVID. This was complicated by inflation, weather, and geopolitical factors that resulted in widespread pricing adjustments throughout the construction materials industries.

Hotel Facilities | Jan 22, 2024

U.S. hotel construction is booming, with a record-high 5,964 projects in the pipeline

The hotel construction pipeline hit record project counts at Q4, with the addition of 260 projects and 21,287 rooms over last quarter, according to Lodging Econometrics.

Fragment of a modern residential multifamily building

Multifamily Housing | Jan 15, 2024

Multifamily rent growth rate unchanged at 0.3%

The National Multifamily Report by Yardi Matrix highlights the highs and lows of the multifamily market in 2023. Despite strong demand, rent growth remained unchanged at 0.3 percent.

Young lady with big cardboard boxes into warehouse with self-storage unit

Self-Storage Facilities | Jan 5, 2024

The state of self-storage in early 2024

As the housing market cools down, storage facilities suffer from lower occupancy and falling rates, according to the December 2023 Yardi Matrix National Self Storage Report.

Adobe Founders Tower in San Jose, Calif.

Designers | Dec 25, 2023

Redefining the workplace is a central theme in Gensler’s latest Design Report

The firm identifies eight mega trends that mostly stress human connections.

Contractors | Dec 12, 2023

The average U.S. contractor has 8.5 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of November 2023

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator inched up to 8.5 months in November from 8.4 months in October, according to an ABC member survey conducted Nov. 20 to Dec. 4. The reading is down 0.7 months from November 2022.

Market Data | Nov 27, 2023

Number of employees returning to the office varies significantly by city

While the return-to-the-office trend is felt across the country, the percentage of employees moving back to their offices varies significantly according to geography, according to Eptura’s Q3 Workplace Index.

Market Data | Nov 14, 2023

The average U.S. contractor has 8.4 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of September 2023

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator declined to 8.4 months in October from 9.0 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2. The reading is down 0.4 months from October 2022. Backlog now stands at its lowest level since the first quarter of 2022.