Bjarke Ingels Group designs a mass timber cube structure for the University of Kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and executive architect BNIM have unveiled their design for a new mass timber cube structure called the Makers’ KUbe for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. A six-story, 50,000-sf building for learning and collaboration, the light-filled KUbe will house studio and teaching space, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core.

Airports

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

First federal blueprint to decarbonize U.S. buildings sector released

The Biden Administration recently released “Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Buildings Sector,” a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050.

Green

LEED v5 released for public comment

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has opened the first public comment period for the first draft of LEED v5. The new version of the LEED green building rating system will drive deep decarbonization, quality of life improvements, and ecological conservation and restoration, USGBC says.

Jun 11, 2018

Accelerate Live! talk: Regenerative design — When sustainability is not enough

In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), HMC’s Eric Carbonnier poses the question: What if buildings could actually rejuvenate ecosystems?

May 30, 2018

Accelerate Live! talk: T3 mass timber office buildings

In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), architect and mass timber design expert Steve Cavanaugh tells the story behind the nation’s newest—and largest—mass timber building: T3 in Minneapolis.

Sustainability | Gensler | Jan 16, 2018

The nation's capital of sustainable design

Major cities, like Washington, D.C., make up less than 2% of the world’s landmass, but they contribute 77% of the world’s CO2 emissions.

Sustainability | Skanska | Dec 7, 2017

Busting the myths: What the “S-word” can mean for construction and development

Sustainability, it’s a trendy term. The problem, however, is that it’s being used in so many different ways that people don’t even know what it means anymore.

Sustainability | Jun 29, 2017

The Dutch ‘Windwheel’ wants to create a new sustainable landmark for Rotterdam

The sustainable structure will be a mixed-use development with a hotel, apartments, and office space.

Green | Apr 11, 2017

Passivhaus for high-rises? Research demonstrates viability of the stringent standards for tall residential buildings

A new study conducted by FXFOWLE shows that Building Teams can meet stringent Passivhaus performance standards with minimal impact to first cost and aesthetics.

Green Building Products | Apr 11, 2017

Plant walls are sprouting inside all kinds of buildings

One installer offers his thoughts on why, and what works.

Sustainable Design and Construction | Apr 5, 2017

A new app brings precision to designing a building for higher performance

PlanIt Impact's sustainability scoring is based on myriad government and research data.

Sustainability | Sep 7, 2016

New plans call for hundreds of thousands of British homes to be heated by factory machines

An expansion of ‘heat networks’ is viewed as a possible means for Britain to accomplish its goal of slashing carbon emissions by 2050.

Green | Jun 9, 2016

SmithGroupJJR’s Brock Environmental Center converts rain into drinkable water

The education building generated 83% more energy than it consumed over the last year en route to earning Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification.