Green Building
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BRE Global introduces new construction standard to US
The "Americanized" version of the International New Construction standard, which has spent a year in development, also certifies "non-standard" buildings with uncommon configurations or in unusual locations.
By Kim Slowey • June 19, 2019 -
Analysts: Infrastructure, modularization, resiliency top industry drivers
While a recession is likely on the horizon, several segments of the construction industry will experience massive growth in the next few years, say experts from McKinsey and Dodge.
By Jenn Goodman • June 11, 2019 -
Iowa office first to be built with dowel-laminated timber
The all-wood mass timber product employed on the Des Moines project is the first in North America to not require nails or other fasteners.
By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2019 -
PCL, CopperTree partner to build smart from the ground up
The contractor will embed energy analytics services during construction to meet owners' demand for less costly, simplified building management.
By Kathleen Brown • April 24, 2019 -
NYC's 'Green New Deal' to ban glass, steel skyscrapers
Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to reduce greenhouse emissions 30% by 2030 while creating "tens of thousands" of well-paying green construction jobs.
By Kim Slowey • April 24, 2019 -
NABTU: Union, wage protections must underlie $1T infrastructure plan
Union leaders and lawmakers at a conference this week called for prevailing wages, project labor agreements and other standards to be included.
By Kathleen Brown • April 10, 2019 -
Deep DiveTest lab for timber technology: college campus construction
With 34 mass timber college buildings completed or in the works across the country, the technology is seeing a lot of support despite challenges.
By Hallie Busta • April 10, 2019 -
Chicago's building code overhauled after 70 years
The modernization brings the city in line with international standards and gives contractors more options for building materials and technologies.
By Kim Slowey • March 26, 2019 -
Q&AHow connected devices are driving a new wave of data center construction
While demand for massive data centers is subsiding, smaller facilities with better geographic spread will need to come online to support video streaming, smart devices, 5G and more, says DPR Construction's Tom Maples.
By Kathleen Brown • Jan. 30, 2019 -
21-story timber building in Wisconsin, tallest in US, advances
Milwaukee Common Council's approval means the residential structure must now pass fire safety specs and paves the way for its developer to propose a 7-story wood office building as well.
By Kim Slowey • UPDATED: March 1, 2019 at 8:59 a.m. -
Deep DiveHow tech giants are driving US construction trends
While HQ2s and office projects draw the most eyeballs, companies like Amazon, Apple and Microsoft are driving construction outside cities and across the country in the form of data centers, warehouses and more.
By Kathleen Brown • Jan. 23, 2019 -
New York's Cuomo proposes $150B, 5-year infrastructure plan
The governor's proposed fiscal year 2020 budget also includes transportation funds and legislation to expand the use of the design-build project delivery method, among other provisions.
By Kim Slowey • Jan. 22, 2019 -
Repairing Puerto Rico's schools post-Maria will cost $11B, take 7 years
The money the U.S. territory is counting on could be diverted to pay for wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border if the president declares a national emergency.
By Kim Slowey • Jan. 16, 2019 -
Trump planning another pass at $1T infrastructure package
A massive program of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation was one of the linchpins of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign but the initiative has not yet come to fruition.
By Kim Slowey • Dec. 07, 2018 -
Half of industry expects majority of projects to be 'green' in 3 years
The Dodge Data & Analytics study also revealed that although green building techniques are increasing, not everyone is pursuing third-party certification.
By Kim Slowey • Nov. 16, 2018 -
ICC releases collaborative 2018 green building code
The unified green building code — which addresses topics such as energy efficiency, water safety, land use, site development and building performance — is meant to make it easier for jurisdictions and contractors.
By Kim Slowey • Nov. 13, 2018 -
What you need to know about green building and sustainability
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By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 30, 2018 -
6 green certifications contractors should know about
Though they trail LEED and Energy Star, several other unique benchmarks for building in a way that is healthy for both occupants and the environment are gaining ground and can't be ignored.
By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2018 -
10 contractors profiting from sustainable building
These are the industry leaders, per ENR revenue rankings, that are implementing sustainable practices in innovative, effective ways.
By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 29, 2018 -
Deep DiveMass timber's striking case for sustainability
As mass timber lays claim to increasingly innovative technology and prefabrication, it also hopes to get an edge up on its traditional building material counterparts through its lower carbon footprint and renewability traits.
By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 26, 2018 -
OpinionAR, VR to drive efficiencies at every building phase
From increasing stakeholders' confidence to ensuring changes are error-free, the benefits of augmented and virtual reality will soon extend from design to operations stages, writes Microdesk CEO and principal Michael DeLacey.
By Michael DeLacey • Oct. 10, 2018 -
Cement faces special challenges in quest for sustainability
With each ton of the nearly 3 billion tons of cement produced per year globally releasing one ton of carbon dioxide, manufacturers are ramping up approaches to finding alternative methods and materials.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 20, 2018 -
MIT class designs 82,000-square-foot mass timber prototype
The more tall wood structures that can be built and safely occupied, the better the chances that building codes will eventually change, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 13, 2018 -
New Orleans eschews new water management techniques in $2B post-Katrina program
The city claims the scope of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds for hurricane repairs doesn't allow for eco-conscious water management systems.
By Kim Slowey • July 31, 2018 -
Q&ASmartLAM head: The US is ready for cross-laminated timber
Adoption has been slow, Casey Malmquist said, but now, "that's all changing," especially after initiatives like the 2015 International Building Code made more allowances for mass timber.
By Laurie Cowin • July 30, 2018
