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.

New survey shows top companies prioritize global green building rating system LEED

Green | Apr 7, 2015

USGBC survey shows Fortune 200 companies prioritize green building

The world’s top-performing companies are prioritizing sustainability as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, and a majority of them are using LEED to achieve their goals, according to the new survey.

Green | Apr 1, 2015

Global wind power installations expected to slow through 2019

After a 20% falloff in 2013, the global wind power industry made a strong comeback in 2014, with a record 51.2 gigawatts installed. But a new report from Navigant Research forecasts a curtailment in growth.

Pratt Institute to offer first-ever degree in designing public spaces

Cultural Facilities | Mar 31, 2015

Pratt Institute to offer first-ever degree in placemaking

As part of its new Urban Placemaking and Management degree, Pratt will offer courses on topics such as "the history and theory of public space" and the "economics of place."

Green | Mar 25, 2015

WELL Building Standard introduced in China

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

School in Hong Kong will feature bioclimatic façade

Higher Education | Mar 23, 2015

Hong Kong university building will feature bioclimatic façade

The project's twin-tower design opens the campus up to the neighboring public green space, while maximizing the use of summer winds for natural ventilation.

Codes and Standards | Mar 12, 2015

Energy Trust of Oregon offers financial incentives for net-zero buildings

The organization is offering technical assistance along with financial benefits.

Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015

AEC industry groups look to harmonize green building standards, codes

The USGBC, ASHRAE, ICC, IES, and AIA are collaborating on a single green code.

Green | Paladino | Feb 23, 2015

State of the green union, and the next big shift in sustainability

The history of the green movement offers cues that we are on the precipice of another significant shift in the green union.

Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015

USGBC concerned about developers using LEED registration in marketing

LEED administrators are concerned about a small group of developers or project owners who tout their projects as “LEED pre-certified” and then fail to follow through with certification.