The next destination: Passive design airports

Today, we can design airports that are climate resilient, durable, long-lasting, and healthy for occupants—we can design airports using Passive House standards.

Codes and Standards

ICC eliminates building electrification provisions from 2024 update

The International Code Council stripped out provisions from the 2024 update to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that would have included beefed up circuitry for hooking up electric appliances and car chargers.

Industrial Facilities

Confessions of a cold storage architect

Designing energy-efficient cold storage facilities that keep food safe and look beautiful takes special knowledge.

Sustainability

3 sustainable design decisions to make early

In her experience as an architect, Megan Valentine AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, WELL AP, Fitwel, Director of Sustainability, KTGY has found three impactful sustainable design decisions: site selection, massing and orientation, and proper window-to-wall ratios.

Bullitt Center will open this spring. Photo: John Stamets

Mar 12, 2013

'World's greenest' office building seeks tenants in Seattle

Superefficient Seattle office building is designed to meet the ambitious goals of the Living Building Challenge.

Algae "farms" sandwiched between glass faade panels.

Mar 6, 2013

German demonstration building features algae-powered façade

Exterior of carbon-neutral demonstration building consists of hollow glass panels containing micro-algae "farms."

Residents of energy-efficient complex will reap the benefits of hydropon farm.

Feb 27, 2013

Bronx residents get LEED Platinum public housing complex, rooftop farm

The New York City Housing Authority has opened Arbor House, a 124-unit LEED Platinum complex in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.

Feb 26, 2013

Tax incentive database for reflective roofs available

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) created a database of current information on rebates and tax credits for installing reflective roofs.

Feb 21, 2013

BD+C's 2011 White Paper: Zero and Net-Zero Energy Buildings + Homes

We submit our eighth White Paper on Sustainability in the hope that it will inspire architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, developers, building product manufacturers, environmentalists, policymakers, government officials, corporate executives, officeholders, and the public to foster the development of net-zero energy buildings and homes.

In this White Paper, we provide concrete ways in which AEC professionals can hav

Feb 21, 2013

BD+C's 2008 White Paper: Green Buildings + Climate Change

In this White Paper, we provide concrete ways in which AEC professionals can have a positive role in addressing climate change.

Feb 20, 2013

Higher standards, efficiency programs keys to 40% energy usage reduction in commercial buildings since 1980

Commercial buildings have seen a drop in their energy intensity of more than 40% since 1980, according to a recent report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.

Feb 14, 2013

5 radical trends in outpatient facility design

Building Design+Construction combed the healthcare design and construction sector to evaluate the latest developments in outpatient facility designs. Here are five trends to watch.