GWU paves path to the future with solar sidewalk

You can trod upon the future at George Washington University's Virginia Science and Technology Campus.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 8, 2013

Viewpoint: 'Green building' may be maturing, but need remains

The environmental reasons for "green" building are as acute as ever – induced climate change and other environmental impacts.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 5, 2013

Recycling homes: an alternative to new construction?

Salvaging homes to repurpose materials is popular among those who support sustainable living, but now whole-house recycling is gaining momentum.

By Nicole Wrona • Nov. 5, 2013

Some NYC builders say LEED is OK, but buyers will pay for more green

Some builders of condominiums in Manhattan and Brooklyn are looking for efficiency beyond what LEED likes, and it sells.

By Ron Gallagher • Nov. 3, 2013

Walmart gets a green-roof laboratory

In North Portland, Ore., the new store will have 40,000 square feet of green roof equipped with sensors for performance measurements.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 31, 2013

Latest energy conservation code expands lighting controls, adds HVAC monitoring

The 2015 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code says there should be occupancy sensors in more areas opf buildings, including warehouse space.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 31, 2013

GSA recommends Green Globes join LEED for U.S. construction, but effect is unclear

The General Services Administration told the Department of Energy to use Green Globes or LEED, but LEED carries support among agencies.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 28, 2013

LEED v4 likely to bring changes to construction materials generally

The ;latest version of the leading worldwide standard for green-building certification offers more opportunity to score with materials used in construction.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 24, 2013

Can slower 'high-speed' rail in Calif. keep enough public support?

Five years ago, voters approved $10 billion in bonds to start on a bullet-train connection from Los Angeles top San Francisco, but there is anti-rail sentiment where work is to begin.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 21, 2013

Wis. man tries to make an environmental point with his new home

A retired educator decided to teach by example with a new home that is half Energy Star compliant and half adherent to Passivhaus standards.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 7, 2013

Why BIM can be a challenge for home builders

The time and money commitments that building information modeling requires to get started are part of the reason the process has not taken a hold on the home-building industry.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 1, 2013

NYC ranks high in LEED buildings

New York City contains the highest number of current LEED-certified projects in the nation, encompassing both existing and new construction.

By Nicole Wrona • Sept. 30, 2013

New Zealand now has a 'paper' cathedral

There are acrylic panels and concrete and shipping containers, too, but 2-foot-diameter paper tubes are the soaring rafters of the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 25, 2013

An invisible skyscraper and rooftop solar: The week's most read construction news

Need to catch up on the week's construction news? Now is your chance.

By Brian Warmoth • Sept. 20, 2013

Economical green building and retrofitting require solid project management

Building green does not have to be an expense burden, but making sure that work stays on track is essential.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 18, 2013

Chicago says energy data from large buildings now mandatory

A new law in Chicago requires owners of buildings of 50,000 square feet or more to file annual energy reports with the city, and data verification is required every three years.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 13, 2013

USGBC chapter is asking designers, contractors to share best green practices

On Florida's Gulf Coast, the USGBC chapter is surveying professionals in hopes of eliciting best practices and raising vision beyond specific systems.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 11, 2013

Texas builder says insulating slab foundations makes sense

Matt Risinger says foam around a slab-on-grade foundation can help the house that gets built above it.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 10, 2013

Research finds thermal benefits with rooftop plants

For homes in a sunny environment, these findings could mean a solution for shaving long-term cooling costs.

By Brian Warmoth • Sept. 9, 2013

Central Michigan U. to save $2.5M per year with green building projects

The cost-saving projects come as enrollment declines cut into colleges' revenues.

By Roger Riddell • Sept. 9, 2013

Ohio DOT putting $10.5 million into building non-roads

The state of Ohio is dispersing the money to communities around the state for projects such as bicycle and pedestrian routes – though restoration of covered bridges is on the list, too.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 2, 2013

Nashville pouring more money into building riverfront open space

The country music capital is nearing the issuance of a request for proposals as it looks to add green space with a boat landing area and park.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 2, 2013

EPA pushes on toward potentially troublesome ozone standards

Buoyed by a recent court decision on proposed air-quality standards, the federal government is working on how states can implement rules that could seriously affect construction equipment.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 28, 2013

Around D.C., walkable retail replacing malls as destinations

One of the developers of LEED for Neighborhood Development sees the rise of "town center" districts consigning indoor malls to the dust heap.

By Ron Gallagher • Aug. 26, 2013

Sustainability key to 2016 Olympics in Rio

Organizations met to create an outline that maximizes sustainability in four industry segments, including construction and urban development.

By Nicole Wrona • Aug. 26, 2013