Renovation work outpaces new construction for first time in two decades

Renovations of older buildings in U.S. cities recently hit a record high as reflected in architecture firm billings, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As of spring 2022, the majority of billings came from retrofit work, not new construction. It’s the first time in the 20 years AIA data has shown that renovations have surpassed 50%, Bloomberg reports.

In 2005, as a pre-recession building boom neared its end, renovations composed about one-third of billings. That share has been increasing steadily since 2017, when it was 44.4%, and has risen to 52% this year.

Kermit Baker, AIA's Chief Economist, says that the last time the market was so heavily weighted toward renovations was likely during the Great Depression.

One quarter of renovations are for conventional interior modernizations and upgrades, and another quarter are adaptive reuse projects that change the function and program of a building. New tenant fit-outs comprise 17.8% of renovations.

The new elements of the facility now include: efficient lighting with day-lighting controls and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system used in conjunction with a newly constructed thermal envelope to help reduce energy consumption, and the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption.

| Feb 22, 2012

London's Tower Bridge joins list of energy retrofits on iconic structures

Four types of sustainable roofing systems from Tremco Roofing and Building Maint

| Feb 17, 2012

Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification

Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.

| Feb 16, 2012

Summit Design + Build begins build-out for Emmi Solutions in Chicago

The new headquarters will total 20,455 sq. ft. and feature a loft-style space with exposed masonry and mechanical systems, 15 foot clear ceilings, two large rooftop skylights and private offices with full glass partition walls.

The construction firm also recently completed two stores for the maternity retai

| Feb 15, 2012

Englewood Construction announces new projects with Destination Maternity, American Girl

Englewood’s newest project for Wisconsin-based doll retailer American Girl, the company will combine four vacant storefronts into one large 15,000 square-foot retail space for American Girl.