How the AEC community can combat sea-level rise through design

Architects and engineers are taking the lead to come up with creative methods to tackle the looming threat facing waterfront properties.

By Kim Slowey • May 11, 2017

Atlanta pledges to reach 100% renewable energy by 2035

The city is the largest in the Southeast to make a commitment to completely sustainable energy sources.

By Mary Tyler March • May 10, 2017

New tool shows areas at risk for future flooding

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Explorer can help builders decide where and how to build based on climate-change risks.

By Mary Tyler March • May 9, 2017

NYC issues preliminary climate resiliency design guidelines

The guide aims to help city agencies, architects and engineers minimize the effects of climate change as they plan their construction projects. 

By Kim Slowey • May 9, 2017

How CLT could change the US building landscape

Experts at the Urban Land Institute's 2017 Washington Real Estate Trends Conference said the material could be common in the U.S. in the next 10 years.

By Mary Tyler March • May 8, 2017

OR tiny house bill moves to state Senate

Lawmakers cited the housing shortage as a primary motivator for the building code change, which applies to prefab and site-built homes of less than 400 square feet.  

By Katy Tomasulo • May 4, 2017

Columbus, OH leads Midwestern US cities in solar power payoff

Homes furnished with solar installations sold for more than those without in these 10 markets, according to Redfin. 

By Mary Tyler March • May 4, 2017

US mayors urge cities to transition to renewable energy sources

The new initiative encourages municipalities to make the pledge ahead of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June.

By Mary Tyler March • May 3, 2017

Report: Zero-lot-line development erodes urban green space

In one Southern California county, mansionization projects reduced the green space on single-family lots by one-third.

By Mary Tyler March • May 3, 2017

AIA awards 5 research projects $100K in grant funding

In its 10th year, the Upjohn Research Initiative funds applied research projects in the design and construction space.

By Hallie Busta • April 26, 2017

UMass opens largest engineered wood building in northeast US

A glulam frame and cross-laminated timber walls and stairs shape this academic building — the first in the U.S. to use a wood-concrete composite floor system.

By Mary Tyler March • April 26, 2017

DOE includes sustainable builder in list of 5 fastest-growing jobs in clean energy

A Department of Energy report released earlier this year found that energy-related projects provided more than 2 million construction jobs in 2016.

By Kim Slowey • April 25, 2017

Report: Big price gap between large-scale, local solar installers

A few big companies control a majority of the residential solar panel installation market, which is one contributor to higher prices from those providers.

By Mary Tyler March • April 25, 2017

In water-scarce states, green toilets could save 170B gallons of water annually

High-efficiency toilets and low-flow fixtures are a common way to reduce a home’s resource consumption for a relatively low upfront cost.

By Mary Tyler March • April 24, 2017

KB Home racks up Energy Star, LEED Platinum projects in 2016

The company's annual corporate sustainability report estimates it prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of 335,000 vehicles last year.

By Mary Tyler March • April 24, 2017

Report: VT leads US states in sustainability

The Green Mountain State is home to the country's first all-renewable city, Burlington, which has been followed by other cities nationwide doing the same.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 20, 2017

Renewable energy capacity hit record high in 2016

Investments in large-scale storage solutions are critical to mainstream adoption of alternative energy sources like wind and solar, according to a new report.

By Mary Tyler March • April 19, 2017

A new kind of green: Developers trade golf courses for hiking trails, gardens to draw buyers

Nature-based amenities are giving residents of master-planned communities a stronger connection to the outdoors as well as to their neighbors.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 18, 2017

Australian builder makes Tesla Powerwall a standard feature

The electric car maker shows no sign of stopping when it comes to renewable energy innovation, with plans to take orders for its new solar panels this month.

By Jean Thilmany • April 12, 2017

Chicago to power city-owned buildings with 100% renewable energy

Beginning next year, the city will start acquiring renewable energy and investing in on-site generation to offset the demand from about 900 properties.

By Robert Walton , Mary Tyler March • April 12, 2017

UPDATE: Tesla shares new details about its rooftop solar panel system

The announcement comes as more homeowners and builders turn to photovoltaic systems to power residential units.

By Mary Tyler March • April 10, 2017

More buyers want green homes, real estate agents say

Features including efficient lighting, smart-home technology and renewable-energy systems, as well as bike lanes and green space, were most popular.

By Mary Tyler March • April 7, 2017

A new class of glass: How tech is making daylighting design more energy efficient

The emergence of new glazing products and improved lighting design software is encouraging project teams, and their clients, to give glass another look.

By Tim King • April 5, 2017

Bloomberg announces smart city certification

What Works Cities will mirror existing building certification programs by offering a point-based system through which cities can earn silver, gold or platinum status.

By Mary Tyler March • April 5, 2017

Power play: How construction companies can capitalize on the renewable energy sector

Mortenson is one contractor that has successfully taken advantage of the burgeoning wind, solar and energy storage markets.

By Kim Slowey • April 4, 2017