Green Building
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Skanska USA unveils carbon calculator
Currently in testing, the EC3 tool has helped the firm achieve embodied carbon reductions of up to 30% with little to no cost impact.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 29, 2019 -
Tallest wood building in North America projected to get even taller
The Ascent tower in Milwaukee, constructed with mass timber, received approval from authorities to add 9 feet to its vertical height, bringing it to 23 stories by the time construction is finished.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 20, 2019 -
LafargeHolcim launches CO2-reducing cement business
After six years in the making through a partnership with Solidia Technologies, the Solidia product reduces the carbon footprint in precast concrete by 70%, the firms said.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 09, 2019 -
Deep DiveSidewalk Labs is building a smart city entirely of mass timber. What could go wrong?
North America is on the cusp of a mass timber revolution, and the Waterfront Toronto project is leading the way. But the material faces major obstacles.
By Kira Barrett • Aug. 05, 2019 -
Berkeley, California, sets historic law banning natural gas in new buildings
Berkeley is the first U.S. city to pass such a measure, designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prepare new buildings for electric infrastructure.
By Kristin Musulin • July 30, 2019 -
USGBC seeks proposals to strengthen new LEED standard
The council wants input on how to shape the next version of its rating system following the April release of v4.1.
By Kim Slowey • July 10, 2019 -
Hawaii DOT to use carbon-injected concrete in all construction
The state agency said the material is stronger and adds no extra costs, and some cities are moving toward calling for its use in vertical structures as well.
By Jason Plautz • July 08, 2019 -
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
