Kaiser Borsari Hall will draw 100% of its electricity from a rooftop solar panel array. Photo courtesy Perkins&Will

Mass timber a big part of Western Washington University’s net-zero ambitions

Western Washington University, in Bellingham, Wash., 90 miles from Seattle, is in the process of expanding its ABET-accredited programs for electrical engineering, computer engineering and science, and energy science. As part of that process, the university is building Kaiser Borsari Hall, the 54,000-sf new home for those academic disciplines that will include teaching labs, research labs, classrooms, collaborative spaces, and administrative offices.

Construction Costs

Despite challenges, 2024 construction material prices continue to stabilize

Gordian’s Q2 2024 Quarterly Construction Cost Insights Report indicates that supply chain issues notwithstanding, many commodities are exhibiting price normalization.

University Buildings

Washington University School of Medicine opens one of the world’s largest neuroscience research buildings

In St. Louis’ Cortex Innovation District, Washington University School of Medicine recently opened its new Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building. Designed by CannonDesign and Perkins&Will, the 11-story, 609,000-sf facility is one of the largest neuroscience buildings in the world.

Architects

AE firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood merges with Southland Engineering

Architecture and engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is further expanding its services through a strategic merger with engineering firm Southland Engineering in Cartersville, Ga.

Architects

Every building starts with a concept and a design. Architects are involved at every stage of the process, even after a design has been finalized, helping other building team members through the snares and missteps in the construction process. Building Design+Construction delivers news, trends, and research to the nation's largest architectural design firms.

Architects | Apr 27, 2017

Number of U.S. architects holds steady, while professional mobility increases

New data from NCARB reveals that while the number of architects remains consistent, practitioners are looking to get licensed in multiple states.

Architects | Apr 26, 2017

Hilda Espinal joins CannonDesign as CTO

We are thrilled to share that Hilda Espinal, AIA, LEED AP, CDT, has joined CannonDesign as our firm…

Multifamily Housing | Apr 26, 2017

Multifamily amenity trends: The latest in package delivery centers

Package delivery centers provide order and security for the mountains of parcels piling up at apartment and condominium communities.

Multifamily Housing | Apr 26, 2017

Huh? A subway car on the roof?

Chicago’s newest multifamily development features an iconic CTA car on its amenity deck.

High-rise Construction | Apr 26, 2017

Dubai’s newest building is a giant gilded picture frame

Despite currently being under construction, the building is the center of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the architect.

Architects | Apr 25, 2017

Two Mid-Atlantic design firms join forces

Quinn Evans Architects and Cho Benn Holback + Associates have similar portfolios with an emphasis on civic work.

BIM and Information Technology | Clark Nexsen | Apr 24, 2017

Reconciling design energy models with real world results

Clark Nexsen’s Brian Turner explores the benefits and challenges of energy modeling and discusses how design firms can implement standards for the highest possible accuracy.

Higher Education | Hanbury | Apr 24, 2017

Small colleges face challenges — and opportunities

Moody’s Investor Service forecasts that closure rates for small institutions will triple in the coming years, and mergers will double.

Healthcare Facilities | CallisonRTKL | Apr 24, 2017

Treating the whole person: Designing modern mental health facilities

Mental health issues no longer carry the stigma that they once did. Awareness campaigns and new research have helped bring our understanding of the brain—and how to design for its heath—into the 21st century.

Architects | Perkins and Will | Apr 20, 2017

Design as a business strategy: Tapping data is easier than you think

We have been preaching “good design matters” for a long time, demonstrating the connection between the physical environment and employee satisfaction, individual and team performance, and an evolving organizational culture.