Designing an inspiring, net zero early childhood learning center

LPA's design for a new learning center in San Bernardino provides a model for a facility that prepares children for learning and supports the community.

While new construction allows for incredible levels of customization, there’s no denying that new buildings can have adverse impacts on the climate, budgets, schedules and even the cultural and historic fabrics of communities.

BD+C's John Caulfield interviews Les Hiscoe, CEO of Shawmut Design and Construction, about how his firm keeps projects on schedule and budget in the face of shortages, delays, and price volatility.

Drew Deatherage of Crux Solutions discusses where owners and AEC firms could do better at optimizing smart technology in building design and operations.

Versatility, reliable performance, and relatively low installed-costs make prefabricated metal panel wall and roof systems attractive for sophisticated building applications. Owners and architects often collaborate to use these products in distinctive and aesthetically innovative design solutions. Manufacturers, recognizing an opportunity, have expanded their product lines with the aim of amplifying product use across a range of building types. Of course, no building enclosure system is without design challenges and considerations.

The 38-story glass-encased tower along the beach on 1.3 acres is owned by KAR Properties and designed by TEN Arquitectos. 

Resembling a fueling station, VersiCharge XL—a new electric vehicle (EV) charging concept structure—can charge large numbers of EVs in outdoor areas ranging from small office building parking lots to last-mile logistics hubs to stadium parking lots.

What’s the most critical step in creating a new building? Savvy architects, owners and developers find this question easy to answer: It’s the scope, of course. With every project start and every new building team, the first and often most daunting hurdle is establishing a decent budget estimate. In preconstruction meetings, when questions arise about budget—especially errors, omissions, misinterpretations and just plain “forgot it”—fingers point back to the original scope of work, or SoW.