AGC releases decarbonization playbook to help assess, track, reduce GHG emissions

The Associated General Contractors of America released a new, first-of-its-kind, decarbonization playbook designed to help firms assess, track, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on projects. The AGC Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction Industry is part of the association’s efforts to make sure construction firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures for the industry.

Mass Timber

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.

Laboratories

Why lab designers should aim to ‘speak the language’ of scientists

Learning more about the scientific work being done in the lab gives designers of those spaces an edge, according to Adrian Walters, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal and Director of SMMA's Science & Technology team.

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.

Mar 22, 2013

Earn $500 as a DOE proposal reviewer

The DOE'S Building Technologies Office this morning put out a call to the AEC industry for expert reviewers for its new energy-efficiency initiative for small commercial buildings, which make up more than 90% of the commercial building stock.

Enermodal staff at the firms annual employee conference (opposite) and Enermoda

Mar 21, 2013

Best Firms to Work For: Enermodal Engineering is green to the core

At Enermodal Engineering, there’s only one kind of building—a sustainable one.

Mar 19, 2013

New LEED for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation guide released

A new guidance manual, LEED for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation, outlines strategies geared towards helping building teams incorporate historic resources into their developments.

Mar 14, 2013

25 cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings

Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago top EPA's list of the U.S. cities with the greatest number of Energy Star certified buildings in 2012.

Mar 10, 2013

Walgreens to build first net-zero energy retail store

Walgreens announced plans last week to build one of the nation's first net-zero retail stores. The Evanston, Ill., location will utilize solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal technology, LED lighting and ultra-high-efficiency refrigeration to produce energy equal to or greater than the building consumes.

Green roofs will be a hallmark of Samsung's Silicon Valley complex.

Feb 28, 2013

Greeening Silicon Valley: Samsung's new 1.1 million-sf HQ

Samsung Electronics' new 1.1 million sf San Jose campus will support at least 2,500 sales and R&D staff in the company's semiconductor and display businesses.

Feb 25, 2013

HOK sustainability expert Mary Ann Lazarus tapped by AIA for strategy consulting position

Mary Ann Lazarus, FAIA, LEED® AP BD+C, has accepted a two-year consulting position with the American Institute of Architects in Washington, DC. Her new position, which begins March 1, will focus on increasing the AIA's impact on sustainability across the profession. The St. Louis-based architect will continue consulting at HOK.

This hospital at Virginia's Fort Belvoir recently achieved LEED Gold.

Feb 22, 2013

Defense department report: Green design saves taxpayers money

An independent report on energy efficiency and sustainability standards used by the Pentagon for military construction affirms the value of LEED-certified high performing buildings to America’s military and U.S. taxpayers.

Rob Cassidy | Jan 25, 2013

Caution on UCLA study of worker productivity at 'green companies'

A new report from researchers at UCLA and France's University Paris–Dauphine claims that workers at environmentally conscious companies are more productive than their counterparts at nongreen companies.