Let’s take this outside: Adding outdoor work areas to the commercial office grows in popularity
Commercial buildings are having an evolution thrust upon them as COVID-19 makes the lure of the outdoors even more attractive to office occupants.
Autodesk and architects face off
A July 27th letter addressed to Andrew Anagnost, President and Chief Executive Officer of Autodesk from leading architecture firms has brought to the forefront the issue of architectural software costing.
Exploring diversity in the construction industry
With skilled labor shortage being a constant hurdle, exploring options to include diversity in construction industry is a must. But the battle is very much uphill.
Regenerative design: Going beyond sustainability
Regenerative design has the goal of producing buildings that have a net-positive impact on their surroundings – restoring or improving their locales rather than aiming for less harm.
The evolution of the building envelope
The building envelope refers to all of the elements of the outer shell of a building and is what keeps us safe from the elements. Humanity has come a long way from our prehistoric days of structures constructed of boulders, branches and grass to complex building science that has us living in comfort today.
Recent developments in sustainability initiatives for commercial buildings
Energy efficiency, reduced carbon output and sustainability measures have been targets for those designing and operating commercial buildings for some time. Now, with Net Zero – where a building emits zero or less emissions through reduction measures - the goalposts are shifting even further.
New York City’s ‘glass ban’ – what is it, and what does it mean?
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio rattled some cages in the commercial real estate and building design industries last year with what many popular news channels summarized as a ban on all glass and steel skyscrapers in the City.
Live, work play: The rise of mixed-use development and what it means in the age of COVID-19
While the benefits of mixed-use community living abound, not one developer could have foreseen the challenges of operating such a building in the wake of COVID-19.
Achieving energy efficiency with glass exteriors in commercial buildings
New technologies have allowed glass exteriors to reach new heights in energy efficiency.
Rethinking public space design during a pandemic
Public space design is in need of a refresh in light of COVID-19. The areas we congregate in outdoor settings will need to be reworked to keep us safe, both now and with a view to what future needs may hold.
Exploring disaster relief housing
Disaster relief architecture has played an important role in rebuilding lost structures and also for constructing temporary buildings for immediate and longer-term housing needs.
Glass exteriors in commercial buildings: Four incredible buildings with glass facades
Here are four incredible designs from around the word featuring glass exteriors in commercial buildings.
Accessible building design: Making buildings better for all
With the population aging significantly – 1 in 5 residents are expected to be of retirement age by 2030 – accessible building design has never been more important.
Blurring lines between indoor and outdoor design in commercial buildings
Biophilic design strategies are well-known to benefit building inhabitants, and living and work areas that flow into the outdoors can be eye catching, boost indoor air quality and add a more comfortable feel to commercial spaces.
Understanding the generation gap in the construction industry
The construction industry is no stranger to the generation gap in today’s workforce. As Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Y, with their varying strengths, upbringings and communication styles are all squeezed onto a construction site, unique challenges are presented.
How building codes are evolving to encourage environmentally-friendly construction
Today’s building codes are still legal minimums required by state law, established to keep structures and their occupants safe. As such, green building design and construction practices are not necessarily built in.
The architecture and design industry’s response to COVID-19
The design and architecture industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates how the profession has sprung into action to help fight the global pandemic.
How sustainable campus design affects students and operators
Potential students have no shortage of choices for post-secondary education, and ensuring sustainability is part of the campus culture and design is increasingly top of mind.
Examining 3D printing in construction
No matter how you look at it, the buzz around 3D printing in construction is louder than ever.
The design-bid-build process versus the design-build process
The design-bid-build process (DBB) is a traditional practice used in the United States, where the owner of the project has separate contracts with a designer and contractors for the construction of a project. Alternatively, the design-build process is where the design and construction services are all managed through a single contractor.
Advancing the careers of women in architecture and construction
Historically, it hasn’t been easy for women climbing career ladders in the architecture and construction industries, but leaps are being made and successes celebrated as we move towards an equitable and successful future.
Compelling Irish architecture and its influence on American history
Today, as we celebrate St. Patrick’s day, let’s take a look at some compelling architecture in Ireland and also a glance at the Irish influence on a couple of America’s most iconic landmarks.
Planning for resilient design: Investors, building designers and educators are taking note
The Resilient Design Institute defines resilience as “the capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality and vitality in the face of stress or disturbance. It is the capacity to bounce back after a disturbance or interruption.”
Assessing the sustainability of building products
Product specifiers in building design have an increasingly complex task in trying to discern what a sustainable building product is and deliver it to end users. So, where does one start?
How EPDs work with the LEED ratings system
EPDs can now garner credits under the LEED v4.1 ratings system, giving building product specifiers a tool to further enhance green building initiatives.
What is an EPD, and how is one created?
Putting the definition of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) into layman’s terms is a bit of a challenge, with a plethora acronyms to get one’s head around.
How stand-out hotel design enhances the guest experience
With the proliferation of providers like Airbnb offering unique, and often cheaper, guest experiences hotel designers and operators must look towards innovative ideas that will draw guests and keep them coming back.
Circular economy in building design and construction
There is ample buzz surrounding the term circular economy of late. Also referred to as circularity, the building design and construction industries are looking at reshaping operations to apply this new way of thinking, which appears on the surface a monumental task.
Using recycled building materials
Using recycled building materials or materials that contain recycled content is a straightforward step to sustainability for building designers and construction professionals.
Reducing embodied carbon in building materials
Reducing the operational carbon output of buildings has long been an important topic of discussion, but drilling down even further, the architecture, engineering and construction industries are now turning an eye to embodied carbon. Embodied carbon of building materials refers the amount of carbon that is emitted to produce and transport building materials before they hit the jobsite.
