Section of New Orleans will try new approach to flood control

For the first time, New Orleans will turn to a retain and control storm water strategy in one of the city’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.

Public works projects in a part of the Big Easy, the Gentilly Resiliency District, will be designed to retain and control water rather than to try to keep it behind levees and floodwalls. Projects will include transformation of miles of neutral grounds into water-absorbing features so that the water won’t have to be pumped to outfall canals.

Some median strips will become green corridors with swales, trees, shrubs, and water permeable sidewalks. Existing live oaks will be retained and protected.

Another project, the Mirabeau Water Garden, is a detention pond designed to hold water temporarily. The site will include a pedestrian path and recreation features that will be able to hold floodwater when needed. The federal government awarded the city a $141 million grant for the flood control measures.

Global management consulting firm McKinsey recently launched the Net Zero Built Environment Council, a cross-sector coalition of industry stakeholders aiming to decarbonize the built world. The council’s chief goal is to collaboratively create new pathways to cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

Adaptive reuse office interior modern design

Adaptive Reuse | Dec 9, 2022

What's old is new: Why you should consider adaptive reuse

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.

75 Top Products for 2022, Building Design and Construction

75 Top Building Products | Nov 30, 2022

75 top building products for 2022

Each year, the Building Design+Construction editorial team evaluates the vast universe of new and updated products, materials, and systems for the U.S. building design and construction market. The best-of-the-best products make up our annual 75 Top Products report.

Seismic Design | Nov 16, 2022

SPC-4D: 7 reasons California hospital building owners should act now to meet seismic compliance

Seismic compliance with the applicable California building codes is onerous and disruptive for building owners, especially for a building in the heavily regulated sector of healthcare. Owners of older buildings that house acute care services have a big deadline on the horizon—Jan. 1, 2030, the cutoff date to upgrade their buildings to SPC-4D.

Energy-Efficient Design | Nov 14, 2022

How to achieve net zero energy in five steps

Martine Dion and Ethan Seaman share net zero energy best practices with owners and developers.

Oregon wildfire risk law prompts extensive backlash Photo: Pixabay

Resiliency | Nov 8, 2022

Oregon wildfire risk law prompts extensive backlash from property owners

A bipartisan bill aimed at protecting property owners from wildfires that was passed by the Oregon legislature has prompted a strong backlash.

Steel structures offer faster path to climate benefits

Faster delivery of buildings isn’t always associated with sustainability benefits or long-term value, but things are changing. An instructive case is in the development of steel structures that not only allow speedier erection times, but also can reduce embodied carbon and create durable, highly resilient building approaches.

Fire and Life Safety | Oct 4, 2022

Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings

Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.