Tag Archives: design

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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Modular Man Caves: Atlanta Motorsports Park Garages Hit Full Throttle

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For auto enthusiasts, the race track is the ultimate playground. As this story on CNN.com shows, Atlanta Motorsports Park has pushed that experience to the red line. Cut to 2:00 in the video to see the modular race garages our Sports and Entertainment Team built. They’re a great example of what modular can do.

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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 →

5 Tips for Getting Your Construction Project Off the Ground Smoothly

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5 Tips for Getting Your Construction Project Off the GroundAs you prepare to get your next construction project off the ground, here are a few simple tips that may make getting started a little easier.

1. Get on the Same Page

Align yourself and your project with designers, architects, engineers and builders that share your vision. This may seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Working with people who understand your needs and want to bring them to fruition is a critical first step.

2. Look Past Price

In construction, like most everything, spending less usually means getting less. While a lower cost may be fit nicely into your budget, consider the implications of cost overruns, project delays and the opportunity cost 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 →

Modular Construction Reaches New Heights, Goes Global

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AtlanticYardstower2

Atlantic Yards Project, Brooklyn, NY

Though the domestic modular construction industry has been growing over the past several decades, it is only recently that US designers and builders have started taking sky-scraping cues from overseas projects. New York City’s Atlantic Yards development is a prime example, as it is targeted to be the tallest modular structure in the world, surpassing England’s University of Wolverhampton’s 25-story dormitory, completed in 2009.

These two projects notwithstanding, modular construction that reaches for the sky isn’t relegated to the US and UK. The Asian market went tall the in Hunan Province with high-rise modular projects courtesy of developer Zhang Yue, whose company erected a 30-story modular building over 15 days in 2011, a feat that was captured in a powerful time-lapse video.

Even now the Broad Group in China has signed a deal to erect a 100-story prefab building in the city of Continue reading →