Tag Archives: climate

Middle East Cities Emerge as Global Leaders in Sustainability

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masdar city abu dhabiWhile it’s the U.S. Green Building Council that sets the standard for LEED certification, two cities in the Middle East are quickly emerging as the world leaders in sustainable cities, or cities with a goal of net zero energy and waste. That means they produce as much energy, resources and waste as they consume.

Population and economic growth due to the Middle East’s oil reserves are the primary drivers in its aggressive push toward sustainability. With population expected to grow exponentially in the next 25 years, sustainable cities can offset the gradual depletion of the natural resources and with them, the region’s primary export and profit center. Here’s a look at innovative projects currently evolving in the region.

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Sustainable and Modular Construction Still Hot for 2013

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Sustainable and Modular Construction Still Hot for 2013A recent article on Construction Digital indicates that both sustainable building and modular construction remain trends with traction. Four months into 2013, these trends are two of the driving forces behind the improving construction industry.

Green and Natural

The use of sustainable building materials and construction techniques Continue reading →

5 Ways Modular Construction is Greener

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Modular Construction is GreenerAs we pause to celebrate Earth Day today, many of us may stop to consider what we can do to help the environment. Selfishly, we hope your considerations lead you to waste reduction through modular construction.

At nearly 25 percent, construction waste is the largest contributor to our waste stream. Cutting it would have a measurable impact on landfills, air pollution and our consumption of natural resources.

The US Green Building Council agrees. That’s why modular construction is worth additional points for Continue reading →

Rethinking the Definition of Green Building

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Modular Green BuildingRising energy costs and global climate change are compelling arguments for sustainable construction. Yet some builders, developers and owners don’t see the value in green construction, particularly as it relates to their bottom line.

Good, Not Green

At the 2013 Greenprints sustainability conference, LEED founder Rob Watson suggested “eliminating ‘green’ as a modifier,” noting that “there are good buildings, and there are bad buildings…Good buildings save energy, water, time and effort — but perhaps most importantly to their occupants, they save money.”

That’s not to say that companies aren’t building green. LEED has helped spur energy-efficient construction Continue reading →

Decoding Mixed Messages in Construction Industry Reporting

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Decoding Mixed Messages in Construction Industry ReportingYou don’t have to look far to find contradicting reports on the current and future state of construction. On their own, the numbers usually speak for themselves. Putting them together for a clear view of the industry and where it’s headed is the challenge.

Statistical Confusion

This month, Reuters reported that construction spending in January was unexpectedly weak. A week later, the news agency reported that new Labor Department numbers showed a February increase in construction sector hiring, with approximately 48,000 employees added to national payrolls — nearly Continue reading →

New Policy Recommendations for the U.S. Energy Boom

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New Policy Recommendations for the U.S. Energy Boom

Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli

The Bipartisan Policy Center, a non-profit organization created in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George J. Mitchell, recently convened a group of industry professionals, environmentalists and law makers to evaluate the current energy boom and make recommendations for a balanced approach that secures a better future for America. Here is a brief list of those recommendations as reported in a recent article by CNNMoney.com:

  • Fracking should continue, but tighter regulations on the practice should be imposed, particularly at the federal level
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Non-residential Renovation Starts to Rise in 2013

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toolsAn infographic in the February 2013 edition of the Architectural Record suggests that renovation projects in the non-residential sector will jump 8 percent to $42 billion this year.

The report, which is based on data from McGraw-Hill, further suggests that New York City led the nation in 2012 with $6.12 billion in renovation starts. Perhaps the surge of new work already underway in NYC is the reason why the same report also named the Northeast as the only region that will not experience an increase in renovation starts this year.

Other top cities for renovation starts in 2012 were Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Boston. That focus is expected to shift in 2013, with the Southeast leading the way for new renovation projects.

See the full infographic from the Architectural Record
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